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| Support for care teens in England a 'national scandal' | Support for care teens in England a 'national scandal' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Too many teenagers in England leave care without enough support, ending up in a "trap of poverty and joblessness", the children's minister has said. | Too many teenagers in England leave care without enough support, ending up in a "trap of poverty and joblessness", the children's minister has said. |
| Edward Timpson said it was a "national scandal" and urged councils to do more to make sure they have a "solid start". | Edward Timpson said it was a "national scandal" and urged councils to do more to make sure they have a "solid start". |
| Mr Timpson wants such teenagers to be given higher allowances towards setting up home and more foster placements. | |
| The Local Government Association says councils should not face new financial expectations at a time of drastic cuts. | The Local Government Association says councils should not face new financial expectations at a time of drastic cuts. |
| Mr Timpson's comments come as figures suggest many 16-year-olds leaving care are not in education, work or training by age 19. | Mr Timpson's comments come as figures suggest many 16-year-olds leaving care are not in education, work or training by age 19. |
| According to the figures cited by Mr Timpson, more than a third (35%) of children in care leave by the age 16 and, of those, 45% will not be in education, employment or training - so-called Neets - three years later. | According to the figures cited by Mr Timpson, more than a third (35%) of children in care leave by the age 16 and, of those, 45% will not be in education, employment or training - so-called Neets - three years later. |
| Mr Timpson said the "cliff-edge" of leaving care was often too sudden and poorly planned, with many teenagers finding the move "traumatic". | Mr Timpson said the "cliff-edge" of leaving care was often too sudden and poorly planned, with many teenagers finding the move "traumatic". |
| 'Something wrong' | 'Something wrong' |
| "It is a still a national scandal that children in care are more likely to end up with worse exam results; to have poor mental and physical health; to be convicted criminals; and unemployed or out of education. These are the most vulnerable children in society who need the most support," he said. | "It is a still a national scandal that children in care are more likely to end up with worse exam results; to have poor mental and physical health; to be convicted criminals; and unemployed or out of education. These are the most vulnerable children in society who need the most support," he said. |
| The children's minister said he wanted councils to give care leavers a £2,000 allowance towards the expense of setting up home - some currently give "as little as" £500, meaning they cannot afford the essentials. He also said he wanted more foster placements for 18- to 21-year-olds. | |
| He is writing to local authorities to say they need to do far more. | He is writing to local authorities to say they need to do far more. |
| Mr Timpson said: "There is something very wrong when some of the most vulnerable children feel they are being forced out of care the moment they turn 16. | Mr Timpson said: "There is something very wrong when some of the most vulnerable children feel they are being forced out of care the moment they turn 16. |
| "Society has changed. Most young people are no longer ushered out the door by their parents to make their own way in the world. Care leavers are no different." | "Society has changed. Most young people are no longer ushered out the door by their parents to make their own way in the world. Care leavers are no different." |
| Mr Timpson is also set to launch a Children in Care Charter, drawn up by care leavers themselves, which sets out how they wanted to be treated. | Mr Timpson is also set to launch a Children in Care Charter, drawn up by care leavers themselves, which sets out how they wanted to be treated. |
| Debbie Jones, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said she agreed with many of Mr Timpson's comments, but added: "The most important thing for us is what you do with young people actually before that cliff edge." | |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme she said: "The important thing - as with any good parent - is the support you give young people in terms of how the money is used. | |
| "It's the support that counts. And most local authorities are actually spending a great deal more than £2,000 for their young people." |